In this week's episode of Hands-On Tech, Lance asks Mikah Sargent about the pros and cons of using powerline ethernet adapters, and Mikah shares his strong thoughts on these devices.

Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! hot@twit.tv

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech

Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Jacob Ward of The Rip Current joins Mikah Sargent this week! Tech titans are investing millions into genetically engineered babies. A lot of those who worry about data privacy feel like their actions make no difference. Comments from Windows lead Pavan Davuluri on the future of Windows received a lot of blowback online. And Valve announced a trio of new hardware for.

• Jacob discusses tech billionaires funding companies that are pursuing genetically engineered babies, raising concerns about the commercialization of polygenic screening.
• Mikah talks about how a lot of Americans do worry about data privacy, but feel helpless in that any actions they may take make no real difference.
• Zac Bowden from Windows Central joins the show to talk about comments made recently online from Windows lead Pavan Davuluri on the future of Windows "evolving into an agentic OS," which received plenty of pushback.
• And Scott Stein of CNET stops by to share his hands-on experience with Valve's recently announced new Steam hardware, set to launch in 2026.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Jacob Ward

Guests: Zac Bowden and Scott Stein

Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly.

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!
Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Sponsors:

• pantheon.io
• veeam.com
• threatlocker.com/twit
• cachefly.com/twit

Control your iPhone just by looking at it. Mikah Sargent dives into the eye-tracking (and head tracking) feature on iOS, showing how it contributes to accessibility and reimagines device interaction.

• How to set up and use iOS eye tracking controls
• Eye tracking customization: smoothing, snap to item, dwell control, and more
• Eye tracking training process and device positioning tips
• Accuracy challenges and retraining
• Head tracking as an alternative: facial gestures trigger iOS actions
• Head tracking menu navigation with expressions

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Running out of meal ideas or tired of over-complicated food logging? This episode showcases smart, lesser-known nutrition tools and creative ways to track what you eat, based on real-life experiences and some honest app talk.

• FoodNoms highlighted for privacy-focused nutrition tracking and Apple Health integration
• MyFitnessPal offers a massive database and wide third-party integrations despite privacy trade-offs
• Carb Manager recommended for keto diets and fitness-linked nutrition tracking
• Using Apple's Journal app for food, meal, and recipe documentation
• News: iOS 26.1 introduces background photo upload for third-party backup apps
• Feedback: iPhone textile cases and cleaning experiences
• App Caps: Ugreen and Anker multiport chargers reviewed for tech convenience

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Contact iOS Today at iOSToday@twit.tv.

Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today

Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

On this week's episode of Hands-On Tech, how do you prevent your Mac from automatically falling asleep to conduct overnight backups? Mikah Sargent shares some third-party apps that will do just that!

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-tech

Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Abrar Al-Heeti of CNET joins Mikah Sargent this week on Tech News Weekly. Apple is reportedly considering a partnership with Google to integrate the Gemini AI model with Siri. A new AI-powered smart ring is in development to record users' thoughts. Google is making modifications to its Play Store regarding third-party accessibility. And a group of employees from a company specializing in negotiating cyber-attack ransoms has been indicted for running their own cyber-extortion scheme.

• Abrar shares how Apple plans to partner with Google to utilize the Gemini AI model in its updated Siri model.
• Mikah talks about a new AI-powered smart ring in development that you can speak into to record & ask questions.
• Ryan Whitwam of Ars Technica joins the show to talk about the changes Google has been ordered to make to its Play Store to better accommodate third-party apps following Epic Games' lawsuit against the company.
• And Mikah shares a story about a group of employees at a company that specializes in negotiating cyber-attack ransoms who were indicted for, ironically, running their own cyber-extortion scheme.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Abrar Al-Heeti

Guest: Ryan Whitwam

Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly.

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!
Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Sponsors:

• veeam.com
• spaceship.com/twit
• zscaler.com/security
• zapier.com/tnw

Mac users, forget juggling third-party apps! Apple's macOS Tahoe finally gives you real control over your menu bar and Control Center. Check out how this long-awaited update could change the way you work every day.

• Exploring new default transparent menu bar background visuals
• Adjusting menu bar visibility and hiding options in System Settings
• Toggling menu bar background effects for better personalization
• Managing recent documents, apps, and servers through menu bar settings
• Adding, removing, and arranging controls in menu bar and Control Center
• Detailed walkthrough of menu bar settings like WiFi, Bluetooth, battery, Focus, and display
• Granular app icon management—allow or deny permission to show in menu bar
• Rearranging menu bar icons using command+drag
• Quick reset options and comprehensive clock display tweaks for the menu bar

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Learn about the top iOS apps that help organize tedious household tasks on schedule while turning family coordination into something fair and fun. Plus, Life360's advanced tracking features give parents convenient insight into their kids' whereabouts and driving habits!

• Life360 app features for family and pet tracking, privacy tips
• Sweepy app helps divide, gamify, and organize home chores
• Maple Family Organizer streamlines family calendars, projects, and emails
• Under My Roof app for tracking home inventory and moving logistics
• Fridge Buddy app manages pantry and fridge supplies, tracks expiration dates
• News: Rumors on upcoming pro creative apps for iPad surfaced in code
• Shortcuts Corner: AssistiveTouch troubleshooting and shortcut trigger options
• Mikah's App Cap: CleanMyPhone is a free and paid photo cleaner apps for decluttering
• Rosemary's App Cap: Slider Photo Cleaner is a free swipe-to-delete photo tool

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Contact iOS Today at iOSToday@twit.tv.

Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today

Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.